Problems with the cargo ship “Kotor”, owned by the Montenegrin shipping company Crnogorska Plovidba AD, continue to escalate. According to data from the international inspection database parismou.org, the vessel has been detained once again—this time in the port of Tyne in the United Kingdom, reports the Primorski portal.
This marks the second detention in a foreign port within the last two months. Previously, the “Kotor” was held for over a month in the United States, in the port of Savannah, Georgia, due to technical malfunctions identified by the U.S. Coast Guard. The vessel departed the U.S. on July 17 after Crnogorska Plovidba claimed all technical issues had been resolved, supported by certification from Bureau Veritas. The ship was scheduled to arrive at the British port on July 30, but problems began immediately upon arrival. The detention in the UK once again raises questions about the vessel’s technical condition and operational reliability.
While the vessel remains idle, financial pressures are mounting. Crnogorska Plovidba has yet to settle debts with the American companies Moran (for towing services) and Colonial (terminal operator), which together total approximately 950,000 US dollars. Although the company announced the debt would be paid in installments, delays are further complicating its operations.
Due to contractual obligations to the ship’s charterer, Trithorn Bulk—which has even threatened legal action—the vessel was required to continue its journey to the UK port despite outstanding debts and unresolved technical issues.
A more serious concern is the potential loss of classification by the respected maritime organization Bureau Veritas. Losing class status would mean the vessel no longer meets international technical standards for safe navigation, significantly reducing its market value and its ability to be chartered, potentially resulting in multimillion-dollar losses.
According to the Primorski portal, senior representatives of Crnogorska Plovidba are considering resigning amid growing public pressure and criticism of their handling of the “Kotor” situation.
If the vessel ultimately loses its classification, it would represent a major blow not only to Crnogorska Plovidba but to Montenegro’s maritime sector as a whole.
